I'd consider tree-hugging enviro-nuts amusing, if it weren't so obvious they were mentally defective. Even then, I'd simply give them a wide berth if they'd simply do the same for me in return.
My 1988XJ w/250K on the clock hovers around 16-18mpg in town, and 20-22mpg on freeway hauls. I can load a tonne in it at will, and only get slightly lower fuel mileage. It runs cleaner than many new vehicles. The data is not available for motorcycles, simply because they don't smog those damn things yet... So, why do they get carpool access? If it were due to an air-cooled engine, I'd see a lot more old VW Bugs in that lane with solo drivers as well.
Increased risk of a roads incident? Somehow, I think not - the all-around glass offers excellent visibility, my eyes are higher than those typically found in little rice-burning imports, and when was the last time you saw a Jeep (or SUV, even?) doing 80 going up a dashed white line in between traffic?
Mostly urban travel? Yeah, I suppose so. But, I often do it while hauling, and I have to be able to get to "remote" job sites as well. Something my 88 stocker w/30's can handle a lot better than a Prius or an Insight.
Towing? I've driven from ATL to SJC with a 3000# weight penalty, in a U-Hell box trailer (somewhat less aerodynamic than my XJ, in fact,) and didn't notice any trouble. Maintained fuel mileage as well, going across the country on I-10, I-40, and coming up on I-5. Try THAT with anything that Honda or Toyota makes! Easier with a bicycle, I'd think...
Lifted too far? It's still stock! Granted, I just "inherited" a 4" or so lift, but I won't be able to install it for a bit. Still, considering what I see Ford and Chevvy trucks lifted to (some of them I can probably walk upright under...) I don't think 4" is going to be too far, and I'll still only put 31" tyres under it - 33" max.
Maneuverability? I can do U-turns on narrow streets, and I have seen people in Mercedes sedans that can't manage that without clipping a kerb! So, my truck is fairly nimble.
Besides, if you want to talk about environmental impact, what do you suppose the effect of hitting an electric vehicle, or a hybrid, will be with all those batteries in there? Electrolyte spilling can't be good, and even a gel cell will leak if you crack the case - just not as much.
Besides, all this yakking about "Zero Emissions" on electric vehicles is a major misnomer - they're not "emissions free" but "emissions deferred." Don't you think the power plant is burning something to make the electricity to charge your electric car's batteries? Frankly, I don't think electrics belong in the HOV lane either - they make emissions as well, just not while they're driving (come to think of it, at least I generate tailpipe emissions while my engine is running. Electrics contribute to emissions and greenhouse gasses when they're NOT running. Am I missing something?)
Probably the only good thing about electrics and hybrids is the look I get when I confront these simpletons with logic - generally, it's like the screen going blank, or getting the "Blue Screen of Death" on a Windows machine. They just can't handle the fact that: A) I'm challenging their core beliefs, and B) I'm right. Probably more than they are.
They hate that.
5-90
